Bilal Abbas Khan is for sure the most valuable asset Pakistani drama industry currently holds. The actor, who delivered back to back powerful performances in the recently concluded hit serials ‘O Rangreza’, ‘Qurban’ and ‘Balaa’, continues to sparkle as the protagonist in current on-air sensation; ‘Cheekh’. So, how did Bilal Abbas Khan’s journey fare to this tremendous fandom? In an interview with ‘Speaking Your Heart with Samina Pirzada’, Khan shares his experience of how he chose the theater in seventh standard at Lawrence College, Muree, in order to ditch the intense physical training of his exercise class. As a child, Bilal by no means wanted to be an actor that is until he played the role of a girl in a play. Khan landed the role in his first drama serial ‘Saaya E Dewar Bhi Nahin’, courtesy to his mind-blowing performance in the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA). It was then that the actor got a chance to work with his idol – Noman Ijaz – in ‘Dumpukht’. There was no looking back after that. Bilal has worked with the leading ladies of Pakistan film industry in his short yet blistering career. Be it the chemistry of Sassi (Sajal Ali) and Qasim (Bilal) in ‘O Rangreza’ or Heer( Iqra Aziz) and Jamal (Bilal) in ‘Qurban’, it seems as if the roles have been tailor made for him. The fact that ‘Balaa’ and ‘Cheekh’ overlapped while shooting, is evident of Khan’s versatility, as the character of Wajih is vastly different from that of Taimoor, be it the role, looks or dialogue delivery Currently, Bilal Abbas Khan has just wrapped up his most admire and arguably one of the finest works in the industry, ‘Balaa’- a project of Fahad Mustafa and Dr Ali Kazmi and directed by Badar Mehmood. Full marks to the managing team but it won’t be wrong to say that it wouldn’t have been as big a success if it did not have Khan. Taimoor’s (Bilal’s character) switch from a protagonist character, portraying polite and mama’s boy behavior, to an antagonist craving for revenge is a testament to his wide range as an actor. Every other episode of ‘Balaa’ has been trending on Youtube Pakistan. This in itself is a testimony of the project’s success. And now he is back as ‘Wajih’ in the serial ‘Cheekh’, starring the diva herself, Saba Qamar. Although, only three episodes of the drama have been aired as yet, ‘Cheekh’ seems to have all the ingredients of another smash hit, including another power house performance by Bilal Abass Khan -the man of the hour. The fact that ‘Balaa’ and ‘Cheekh’ overlapped while shooting, is evident of Khan’s versatility, as the character of Wajih is vastly different from that of Taimoor, be it the role, looks or dialogue delivery. This only shows Bilal’s commitment to his character, which is quite rare to these days. We just can’t wait to see more of his dark side in ‘Cheekh’. Published in Daily Times, January 24th 2019.